Journal Journal: Let's open up the WWDN mailbag! 61
Since I haven't written in the old
It's no secret that my political views and philosophies don't match up with the flag-waving "you're with us or against us" crowd.
From time to time, I get an email from one of these folks...and they always end up making an even better case against themselves than I could ever hope to, albeit unintentionally.
Enjoy.
I used to like you, but now I don't
Date: Fri, 6 Dec 2002 18:01:47 EST
From: Fodge837@aol.com
To: wil@wilwheaton.netHey Wil,
I don't know if you will even read this, or if you do read it, I don't know if you will care, but I am going to write it anyway.
I am a fan of Star Trek TNG, I don't really care much for the original series, but I like TNG a lot.I have been buying each season on DVD every other month, as they are released, starting with season 1.
I always wondered why you left the show, "Wesley" was one of my favorite characters on the show & I always felt that the show was not as good as it was after you left.
Let me get to the point......
It has always fascinated me when celebrities (or washed up celebrities in your case), try to become political experts/role models, I think it is a real joke.
Why is it that you people think that just because you were on TV, that it somehow transforms you into enlightened social/political beings? Just because you were some dork in "Stand By Me" or "genius geek boy" in TNG, means that you are now a political stud that you posess enlightenment over everyone else, for example you stated:
"I believe that if the state of politics in America doesn't piss you off, you either don't care, or you don't understand it. Either way, shame on you"
HOW ARROGANT IS THAT!!! & this political arrogance runs rampant in the celebrity community.
You are basically saying that if I don't agree with you, I am either apathetic or stupid. Seriously though, can you tell me why so many
celebrities are like this, its like a prerequisite for celebrity club membership.I came up with a possible answer, I think that celebrities feel guilty, they feel guilty because what they do is basically useless, it is not necessity, it is not required for survival. Have you ever stopped and wondered about the amount of resources that are required to make a TV show or a movie, the amount of energy that is spent? If you sit down and just think about it, its mind boggling, I bet that more energy is used to make, promote, manufacturer, distribute & market entertainment than any other industry in the world. ALL THAT ENERGY SPENT ON SOMETHING WE DON'T EVEN NEED!! I think that this makes celebrities feel guilty, so it makes them want to try to save the "Unenlightened idiots" I think that the arrogance part comes form being worshiped, (for some odd reason celebrities are worshiped).
Let me let you in on a little secret, there are a lot of us non-celebrities out there that are not idiots, we have a brain, we are productive hard
working people in society, we have families & we care about our fellow citizens & the state of the world. I am a hardworking American, My wife and I try very hard to provide for our daughter. When I flip on the TV, I look to celebrities for entertainment, to enjoy characters like "Wesley Crusher" If you want to be a political figure, change careers, go to college, get a degree in political science, become a real expert, make it your passion & your life's work. CELEBRITIES ARE NOT EXPERTS ON THE STATE OF THE WORLD, THEY DON'T HAVE ALL OF THE INFORMATION, THAT OUR LEADERS DO. DO YOU THINK THAT OUR PRESIDENT IS GONNA CALL YOU UP FOR ADVICE ON WHAT HE SHOULD DO BECAUSE YOU
WERE ON TV???You are a great actor, stick to acting! Life for the most part in America is great, It's been great for me & most of the people I know. I certainly think that life in America has been great for you too.
Have a good one,
Eric R. Fodge